Gate Gourmet workers’ tribunal plan

by Matt Grabham

Published Sat 5 Nov 2005

Issue No. 1975

Some 144 Gate Gourmet workers are considering going to an industrial tribunal. They were offered compulsory redundancy under the deal hammered out between unions, the employers and British Airways earlier this year.

The letter sent out to the sacked workers states that Gate Gourmet reserves its rights to refuse to pay out redundancy money. It asks the workers to waive the right to sue the company over alleged abuses during the dispute.

“Why should I sign away all of my rights when they’re not even guaranteeing me redundancy money?” asked Gona, one of the workers facing compulsory redundancy.

“If the letter was a basic one that said sign here and we’ll guarantee you the money, I’d sign. But what they’re doing is trying to weed out so called ‘troublemakers’.”

The letters were sent out earlier last month. Workers have decided it leaves them little choice but to go to an industrial tribunal. Trade union lawyers are currently preparing their case.

Gate Gourmet workers held a protest outside Downing Street on Tuesday of last week. Over 50 workers attended carrying placards calling for a repeal of anti-union laws. The protest attracted coverage from BBC and ITV.

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